{"id":129964,"date":"2025-11-13T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-13T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com\/?p=129964"},"modified":"2025-11-12T15:09:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T20:09:02","slug":"first-responders-rally-to-pay-veterans-day-tribute","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/riverheadnewsreview.timesreview.com\/2025\/11\/129964\/first-responders-rally-to-pay-veterans-day-tribute\/","title":{"rendered":"First responders rally to pay Veterans Day tribute"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The cancellation of the annual Veterans Day tribute<\/a> at Calverton National Cemetery didn’t prevent local first responders and civilians from paying tribute to veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amid freezing temperatures and flurries and with only four days’ notice due to the government shutdown, the Riverhead PBA and local fire departments organized an informal Veterans Day<\/a> gathering Tuesday along Middle Country Road outside the cemetery’s main entrance<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Riverhead and Jamesport fire departments showed their support with their ladder trucks and draped a large American flag over the cemetery entrance. First responders dressed in their highest uniforms, and Riverhead police vehicles flashed their lights along the roadway. Those who attended waved their own American flags.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air Force veteran John Maida of Coram, 69, made sure he was among those proudly waving the stars and stripes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have many friends who are buried here, even some in-laws who are buried here, I had to come out and support,\u201d Mr. Maida, who noted he too will be buried at Calverton National Cemetery. \u201cI\u2019m here, I don\u2019t care how cold it is \u2026 I got my flag, and I\u2019m going to stay here until it\u2019s over with.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photos by Ana Borruto below. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n